Labour by-election 'lost weekend'

Labour opponents in the Glasgow East by-election have poured scorn on the party's "lost weekend" after it failed to select a candidate.

Holyrood MSP Margaret Curran could now be endorsed to contest the Westminster seat on 24 July, after frontrunner George Ryan pulled out of the race.

SNP leader Alex Salmond said Labour was in "complete meltdown".

Former Scottish Labour spin doctor Lorraine Davidson said defeat would spell the end for the prime minister.

Poll ratings

The Glasgow East by-election was sparked by the resignation on health grounds of David Marshall, who had a majority of more than 13,500.

Labour had hoped to select local councillor George Ryan as its candidate on Friday night but he failed to turn up for the meeting.

He pulled out of the contest to prevent "pressures" on his family life.

Former Scottish cabinet minister Margaret Curran, currently a Glasgow MSP, then announced she was adding her name to the shortlist.

A final decision on the candidate is expected to be taken on Monday evening.

However, the confusion will do little to raise the party's morale after heavy by-election losses in Crewe and Henley, disastrous poll ratings, and the resignation of its leader in Scotland, Wendy Alexander.

Defeat in the previously rock-solid Labour heartland of Glasgow East could put Mr Brown's leadership under unbearable strain.

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